Meal Time Aide - Limited Term - Early Learners Program - Clarendon/Sitton/Rosa Parks/Boise-Eliot

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is a large public school district located in Portland, Oregon, committed to creating an inclusive and equitable educational environment for students and staff alike. The district is dedicated to eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impacts on student learning, promoting social justice, and providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, ability, or any other status protected by law. With numerous schools and programs, PPS strives to foster a community where every employee, regardless of their role, is considered an educator contributing to the growth and development of its students. PPS prioritizes a safe, healthy, and supportive working environment, endorsing COVID-19 vaccinations to protect the health of employees and the community.

The Head Start Nutrition Roving Family Style Food Service position, also known as Meal Time Aide, is a vital role within PPS, specifically focusing on supporting the nutritional needs of young children in the Head Start program. This role involves assisting with the preparation and serving of family-style meals in multiple Head Start classrooms located throughout the district including Clarendon, Sitton, Rosa Parks, and Boise-Eliot/Humboldt centers. The position offers a flexible schedule with shifts lasting between 3 to 4 hours within the school day, typically between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and is an on-call role offering up to 15 hours per week.

As a Meal Time Aide, the individual will work closely with classroom teams and other program staff to ensure that children receive nutritious meals in a safe and supportive environment. Responsibilities include preparing quality, family-style meals tailored to young children's needs, adhering to food safety and sanitation standards, and managing meal service logistics in a way that promotes independence and positive mealtime experiences for students. The role requires quick, efficient work habits and the physical ability to lift up to 30 pounds and maneuver food carts.

This position also demands compliance with all PPS employee job and health requirements, including holding a current food handler's card and passing necessary background checks with the district and the Office of Child Care's Central Background Registry. Preference is given to candidates with an interest or experience working with young children and those familiar with food service operations. Compensation is set at $16.30 per hour, and this engagement runs through the end of the current school year ending June 9, 2026.

Joining the PPS team as a Head Start Nutrition Roving Family Style Food Service assistant offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to children's well-being and educational success by ensuring they receive well-prepared, healthy meals in a supportive, child-centered environment. This role plays a crucial part in supporting Head Start's early childhood education mission and reinforcing the district’s focus on equity and community partnership.